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Kilmainham Tales Booklaunches

For Fans of Jimmy Wren's Artwork

. Jimmy Wren, Born in Dublin and son of James Wren who at the age of 17 served in the GPO during the Rising, 

Jimmy is an accomplished Irish Historian and Writer, having written and illustrated such major works as 'Villages of Dublin', and produced a series of Biographical Dictionaries of the men and women of 1916 - 'GPO Garrison Easter Week 1916',  'Four Courts Garrison Easter Week 1916' & 'Heuston's Fort Easter Week 1916'- the story of the gallant fight put up bu the men of the Mendicity Institution during the Easter Rising.

All these books are long out of print - snapped up by historians and admirers of Jimmy's artwork alike. Recently, however, a box of some 30 copies of "Heuston's Fort" was discovered and Kilmainham Tales purchased it. We are now delighted to be able to offer these last few copies for sale.

The book is a mine of information, as anyone who has read Jimmy's other two books will know. But this book is different - it  tells the story of this famous battle in the Easter Rising of 1916, and is written by three Grandchildren of combatants. 

Read more about this informative book and/or buy here.

BUSY, BUSY, BUSY
Kilmainham Tales has had a busy time over the last couple of weeks, with three (yes, 3!) book launches in the space of 8 days, another published but not officially launched, taking part in the annual Anne Devlin Commemoration and two guided walking tours "In the Footsteps of Anne Devlin" in the Liberties. AND our Secretary got married!
Details are as follows:

Book 1:

Listen to author Joe Connell
as he is interviewed about his latest book
"Who Shot Michael Collins?"
by Teresa Quinn on Liffey Sound 96.4fm.

Book 2:

Book 3:

We are honoured that the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Nial Ring, will formally launching our terriffic new publication "Weapons of the Easter Rising" by American author, historian and weapons specialist Kieran McMullen in Dublin's Mansion House on Friday, September 28th next.

   Immediately after the launch, Kieran will give an illustrated talk on "Weapons of the Easter Rising", drawing on his extensive knowledge and personal collection of weapons of the period.

   This is a unique opportunity, unlikely to be repeated, to hear Kieran speak as he is resident in the USA.

   After the talk, there will be some light refreshments and music supplied by a group of award-winning Irish musicians, and an opportunity to purchase the book (at a discounted price) and have it signed by the author in person.

   Please note that, as this is a seated event, admission must be strictly limited. In addition, the Mansion House has requested a list of all attendeed in advance.Therefore, you must register for this FREE event by clicking here on Eventbrite to obtain a ticket. 

"Weapons of the Easter Rising"
has been praised by all who have read pre-launch copies, e.g.

Paul O’Brien, Historian/Author

"Many people contact me in relation to good books on the 1916 Easter Rising. This is a new one. just out. Well worth getting for a read and for reference".

Lorcan Collins, Historian/Author, founder of 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour

"Very solid and well researched book by my friend Kieran McMullen on the weapons of 1916. Published by a great man Mícheál Ó Doibhilín from Kilmainham Tales (look them up). Kieran, who lives in the US, has amassed an immense amount of detailed information that will be used by authors and students for years to come. Incredible work and a big shout out to Kieran for writing it".

Book 4:
What it said in the papers!
On June 10th 2018 in Dublin's City Hall Liz Gillis and Mícheál Ó Doibhilín commemorated Lá na mBan 9th June 1918, when the women of Ireland came out in force to deny the might of the British Empire.

There were eight speakers on the day and now all the eight papers presented have been gathered together into a superb 164 page souvenir book, including a magnificent photo record by Pat Gillis. 

While the book is published as Kilmainham Tale Special 04, it is not on sale - it was produced as a special limited edition for those who attended the free commemoration and purchased a copy of the Journal then. All who attended and purchased a copy were entitled to have a name of their own choice inscribed in the book.

All books have now been posted to subscribers, and initial reaction has been excellent.

We feel it is a superb record of a great day which acknowledged the fantastic achievement of those brave and valiant women of 1918.

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During the 1916 Easter Rising the greatest worries of the Rebels were manpower and weapons. The loss of the Aud with its 20,000 rifles, 10 machine-guns and ammunition had dealt their plans a fatal blow. Now they had to face an enemy with modern rifles, machine-guns and artillery armed only with limited out-dated, clandestinely purchased and, in the case of ammunition and explosives, often hand-made ordinance.

In “Weapons of the Easter Rising” Kieran describes not only their weapons, but those the British Army used in retaliation. While not claiming to be the definitive guide to every weapon used, this book – copiously illustrated with photographs and illustrations (many of the Author’s own collection of historic weapons) and written with the lay reader in mind – is the ideal introduction to this hitherto overlooked but vital aspect of the Easter Rising, 1916.
A retired US Army Lt-Col of Field Artillery, veteran of the Korean DMZ and Operation Desert Storm, Kieran McMullen also served 14 years in law enforcement. A trained shooting reconstructionist and firearms instructor, he also has a BA in Irish History.

Kieran and his wife Christina have a small farm in coastal Darien, Georgia with horses, chickens, and an Irish Wolfhound, and frequently visit Ireland, where his affinity with the Easter Rising is explained by his recently-uncovered relative, Patrick Murray, who was in the GPO in 1916 and took part in The O’Rahilly’s charge in Moore Street. Wounded, he was sent to Frongoch and later fought in the War of Independence.

The author of several published works of fiction including "Sherlock  Holmes and the Irish Rebels". In “Weapons of the Easter Rising”, Kieran has drawn on his encyclopaedic knowledge of historical weapons to produce an accessible and comprehensive overview of the weapons used in the struggle to create a free and independent Ireland. 
The book is a paperback, 128 pages in black and white, with a full-colour cover printed both sides. Available now for only Price €12.50
To buy, click HERE
Our latest publication in the Kilmainham Tales series - No. 18 - was published on Saturday 24 February 2018. Titled "The Irish National War Memorial Gardens", it tells the history of this beautiful memorial to the almost 50,000 who died in WW1. 
The book is written by acclaimed military historian Paul O'Brien, and is his fourth title in the Kilmainahm Tales series.
This is the first ever history of this iconic memorial, recognised world-wide as one of the most impressive and beautiful War Memorials.
Designed by renowned designer Edwin Lutyens, the Memorial site is a place of rest and beauty, and hosts annual commemorations for these fallen Irish.
The book will shortly be available in major Dublin bookshops, including Books Upstairs, Hoddges Figgis, and Alan Hanna, and is now available on our website here at €6 plus post and packing.
Battle of Moore Street
Cath Shráid Uí Mhórdha

A bi-lingual history of the final battle of the Easter Rising in the words of those who were there.

Stair dhá-theangach chath deiridh Éirí Amach na Cásca i bhfocail iad siúd a bhí i láthair.

"To give a relatively small street in Dublin's City Centre the title of "Birthplace of the Republic" may seem audacious, bold or even brazen, but anyone who reads Ray Bateson’s account of Moore Street and its pivotal role in the 1916 Easter Rising cannot but be convinced, not only that the title is justified, but that the story of Moore Street must take its rightful and prominent place in our history, especially when the 1916 Rising is being discussed".
  So wrote Cllr. Nial Ring, in the Introduction of this unique book launched in Dublin's iconic Mansion House by Lord Mayor Mícheál Mac Donncha on December 11th.
  Read more here, and/or buy the book (at €12.50 per copy) here.

Éist le agallamh fé'n leabhar seo a craoladh ar Raidió na Gaeltachta
€12.50
an cóip, maille postas.
per copy, plus postage.
"B’fhéidir go mbreathnaíonn sé dána, dínáireach fiú, an teideal “Áit Bhreithe na Poblachta” a thabhairt ar shráid sách beag i mBaile Átha Cliath. Ach duine ar bith a léann cuntas Ray Bateson ar Shráid Uí Mhórdha agus an pháirt lárnach a bhí aige in Éirí Amach 1916 ní fhéadfadh sé ach a chreidiúint go bhfuil ní hamháin an teideal cóir, ach gur cheart do Shráid Uí Mhórdha á háit cheart thábhachtach a ghlacadh sa stair, go háirithe nuair a bhíonn Éirí Amach 1916 á phle".
  Sin a scríobh Cmhrlr. Nial Ring ina Réamhrá do'n leabhar sainiúil seo a sheol Árd Mhéara Bhaile Átha Cliath Mícheál Mac Donncha ina theach íocónach féin ar 11u Nollaig.
  Léigh tuille anseo agus/nó ceannaigh an leabhar (ar €12.50 an cóip) anseo.
Éist le foilsitheor Mícheál Ó Doibhilín ag labhairt faoi an leabhar seo agus an scéal taobh thiar de'n leabhar seo ar an clár raidió "An Chearta" a craoladh ar Raidio na Gaeltachta anseo. Craoladh seo ar Domhnach 14 Eanáir 2018.

Sé An Cheárta clár ealaíona seachtainiúil RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, léirithe agus láithrithe ag Cearbhall Ó Síocháin. Domhnach 1.15in.

An Cheárta is RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta's weekly arts programme, produced and presented by Cearbhall Ó Síocháin. Sunday 1.15pm.

Available In:
Hodges Figgis,
Dawson St.,
Dublin 2:
_______________
Books Upstairs,
17 D'Olier St, Dublin 2;
____________________
Books.ie at
www.books.ie
____________
or any good bookshop. If they don't have it ask them to order it in.
We launched "MAY 25 - burning of the Custom House 1921" on June 21, in the Irish Labour History Society, Beggars' Bush to a full house.

Éamon Ó'Cuív was the guest speaker, Mícheál Ó Doibhilín the MC, and Liz Gillis the guest of honour!

It was a swelteringly hot evening, which ensured that the water, mineral water and chilled white wine were all firm fvourites with the attendees.

It was great to see so many familiar faces - but also so many new ones present. 

Rather than give a full account of the night it is simpler to link to Pól Ó Duibhir's blog here where he reports on the night - and reviews the book. 

Pól and James Langton both photographed the event and we reproduce Pól Ó Duibhir's photos below. James Langton's are here. As will be seen by these there was much one-to-one discussion between the attendees and the speakers.

One unusual feature was an extra version of the book - in cake! Created by Aisling Whelan of Icing on the Cake by Aisling Whelan, this was possibly the first time when an author had to eat her words at her own book launch! The cake was as popular as the book, and all agreed it was as good.

We are grateful to all who attended on such a warm evening, but especially to our Guest Speaker Éamon Ó Cuív who spoke so passionately about the book and the events in it.

We are proud to have added this book - and author - to our collection. Liz Gillis, of course, has six previous best-selling history books to her credit, and has worked for over eight years with publisher Mícheál Ó Doibhilín to bring this book to fruition.
Liz Gillis has written the first comprehensive history of perhaps the most important event in the irish War of Independence - the burning of the Custom House.

This account puts the attack in context and explains in great detail the events of the day and its aftermath.

This book is unique inasmuch as it tackles a subject which many have claimed to have been a disastrous failure. Liz explains the objectives, the context, the planning and the consequences in detail.

The book is now available to buy direct from us here.

Now available in major bookshops, including:

Hodges Figgis in Dawson Street, Dublin
is the first to stock this great book - and even have some signed copies so, don't delay and get yours quick!

Books Upstairs, D'Olier Street is quick to follow suit.

Alan Hanna, Rathmines is the latest to stock our complete range.

If you can't get to any of these stockists, check with your local bookseller - if they don't have what you want ask them to order it in. Available from either their regular suppliers or from us here.

Books.ie stock this online at 

www.books.ie/may-25-burning-of-the-custom-house-1921

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